Combined Force Detains Taliban Leader in Ghazni Province

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force
arrested a Taliban leader, and detained a suspected insurgent in the Andar
district of Afghanistan's Ghazni province today, military officials
reported.

The leader commanded a group who organized and executed attacks against
Afghan and coalition forces, along with overseeing the placement of improvised
explosive devices, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force in Helmand province's Nahr-e Saraj district arrested a
senior Taliban leader who played a major role in narcotics trafficking to fund
Taliban operations and commanded insurgent fighters who attack Afghan and
coalition forces. The security force also detained a suspected insurgent.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force arrested the senior Taliban leader for Helmand province's
Nad-e Ali district during a security operation in the province's Now Zad
district. The leader provided operational guidance to Taliban insurgents and
acquired and distributed homemade explosives, weapons and ammunition to suicide
bombers. The security force also detained several suspected insurgents and
seized firearms.

-- In Nangarhar province's Khugyani district, a combined force detained a
suspected insurgent and seized numerous weapons during a search for a Taliban
leader who directs attacks against Afghan government officials and Afghan and
coalition forces.

In Jan. 4 operations:

-- A combined force in Helmand province's Nahr-e Saraj district arrested a
Taliban leader who planned and executed attacks against Afghan and coalition
forces and oversaw acquisition and distribution of weapons, ammunition and bombs
to insurgent fighters. The security force also detained two suspected
insurgents.

-- In Logar province's Pul-e Alam district, security combined force arrested
a member of the Haqqani network who planned attacks against Afghan government
officials. He also organized and managed the delivery of weapons and materials
to Haqqani insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The
security force also detained a suspected insurgent.